As the annual Awaka Unity Cup Football Competition commences with pomp and pageantry, heating up the ancient autonomous community in Owerri North Council Area of Imo State and its environ,the organizers of the over 30 years competition says they are on a mission of discovery budding football talents and eradication of anti social vices like illicit drugs among the youths
Evangelist Peter Chima and Mr. Osondu Nwaneri, the Project Coordinator and Chairman respectively of the Local Organizing Committee, LOC of the historical competition disclosed this to Sports Journalists at Amapu Central School field Awaka, venue of the crowd pulling grassroot competition during the opening ceremony.
Earlier, the four team competition was heralded with novelty football match between Amuzi – Ex- Footballers and other Ex- Footballers of Awaka ancient kingdom in memories of Late Pa Nmaramihe and Nnamdi Obed Oloforo.
Chima informed that though Awaka is constituted by three villages, that’s Ndiegbelu, Amuzi and Umuodu but the tournament is grouped into A,B,C and D and both the indigenes and non indigenes resident in the area play together so as to foster unity, brotherly love and peace among the people.
He pointed out that for eleven years Justice Paschal Nnadi (rtd), one time Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Imo State and an illustrious son of the community has been sponsoring the tournament with mouth watering offers but this year their philanthropic daughter Mrs. Maryann Chukwueke ( Ezi Nwanne Amaka) relieved the community of the major burden while assisted by Chief Sir Obed Ejiogu, Eze Ndigbo na New York.
The Sports Administrator appealed to other well to do citizens of the community to assist in making the football fiesta highly competitive and also as a strategic measures in empowering the youths through adequate funding.
Speaking earlier, the LOC Chairman, Chief Osondu Nwaneri identified paucity of funds as their major challenges and reiterated the need for more sponsors as a better means of addressing youths restiveness and social vices in the area.
Nwaneri commended Lady Maryann Chukwueke, Justice Paschal Nnadi (Rtd) and Chief Sir Obed Ejiogu, Eze Ndigbo na New York for their labour of love to the community.
Meanwhile, the opening match which showcased a lot of skills and football artistry saw group B adorning black Jersey led by Chizaram Opara that humiliated group A wearing lemon jersey and led by Anuforo Amaka by 1- 0. It was a match to watch on the second day as group C forced group D to 1-1 draw.
